Jambalaya - Give thanks, share and kick your meal up a notch with something new

Jambalaya is a tradition for Thanksgiving in many southern homes. Cajun appetizers also make Thanksgiving special. We'll share an easy Cajun pecan recipe in the feature story below.

WHETHER DINING AT HOME OR AWAY THANKSGIVING WEEK, TRY A NEW TWIST 

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

A Turkish delight: appetizers which we followed with a lovely salad, and a custard dessert one recent Thanksgiving.

DINING OUT is one of life's sublime pleasures, and Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy and give thanks not only for family, friends, culinary treats and traditions, but for our bounty.

Remember to be generous, to count your blessings.  We give thanks daily for the opportunity to travel, to still have the dexterity, means and intelligence to book a trip.  We are tremendously grateful for, as my grandmother Olive called it, our "mobility and marbles." May these two treasured commodities remain in our possession for many more years.

Portuguese bean soup made a lovely Thanksgiving meal one year in Porto, which has become a favorite city.

If we're home, we like to invite a single person or new neighbor over to share the meal. A widowed friend works in a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving and says it makes her feel connected, helpful and less lonely. We have fun making  my Gran's turkey wiggle with the leftovers. Try her recipe, click the link below:

TURKEY WIGGLE RECIPE

WHATEVER YOU DO, take time to be thankful for the opportunity to have sufficient means to share. And if you're feeling at a low ebb, consider doing something different to jump start your spirits.  We recommend Thanksgiving or any holiday on the road as a way of making new friends and memories. Even if "away" means an hour's drive to a cousin's or sibling's home.

Cookie admires an appetizer plate, served stylishly on a Thanksgiving holiday in Barcelona.

WE'VE SPENT many Thanksgivings "elsewhere," enjoying the offerings of local eateries. If we're home in San Diego, and don't have an invitation or feel up to preparing a feast ourselves, we go out.

We spent one Thanksgiving in our San Diego base, enjoying appetizers at a beachfront hotel.

We consider a favorite Greek restaurant, where we love the appetizer plate. 

Or change things up with jambalaya for Thanksgiving. Sushi or Korean barbecue?  Thai food, a lovely paella, Portuguese bean soup, or perhaps a tray of Turkish  appetizers? Our Jewish friends joke about their tradition of going out for Chinese food on  Christmas. Put your own spin on a holiday to keep it from becoming cliche.  Dare to stretch, think outside the box. Speaking of which, a friend in New York treats his housekeeper to bento box near Times Square on Thanksgiving. 

Sure, the classic dinner can't be beat. Those old-time favorites are time honored: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, green been casserole and too much pie.

Our friend, Jesus, born in Madrid, creates a tasty paella for a memorable Thanksgiving feast.

UT WE suggest something new this year, perhaps a Cajun appetizer or  side dish to augment the menu.  It will add flair and zing to your Thanksgiving table. Serving foods from another culture and combining them with your own beloved  dishes will create a unique and memorable holiday feast while introducing new traditions.

 Remember to give thanks

Chilean sea bass and seasonal vegetables delighted us in a Barcelona restaurant.  With guitar music, the meal made  a colorful Thanksgiving Day treat that we fondly remember.

EASY SPICED CAJUN PECANS

We tasted these Cajun pecans in New Orleans and got this recipe from a friend. "Easy peasy," and a fun holiday treat.

Gather the ingredients.

Pre-heat oven to 325 F.

 (The seasoning)

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

(The pecans) 

5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (2 2/3 ounces) unsalted butter, melted

4 cups pecan halves

1 teaspoon seasoning blend

Cookie and Keller enjoy a Thanksgiving sunset off the coast of Morocco on holiday in 2022.

Combine spices in a small bowl to form your Cajun seasoning blend; mix thoroughly. Set aside.

In a large, shallow roasting pan, combine the melted butter and pecans.

Roast in the oven for 15 minutes, stirring from time to time. Sprinkle with remaining seasoning and toast for about 15 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. The nuts should be brown but not too dark. And feel free to use walnuts or cashews or even mixed nuts if you prefer or have on hand.

Dessert in a Paris cafe on Thanksgiving last year.

A festive dessert for Keller prepared in a country inn in northern Spain.

HOLIDAY MEALS become special memories when you're dining with friends -- new or old. We've spent Thanksgiving on ships with people who become good friends. Since many cultures don't celebrate Thanksgiving when we do, it's important to maintain a "when in Rome" philosophy. Our advice is to loosen up, share the bounty, enjoy, stretch -- and try some Cajun pecans.

Family, friends, fitness thanks

Peking duck became our favorite feast on several Thanksgivings in Asia, here in Beijing.

A few places in the world offer an opportunity to swim with dolphins, and on the Bay of Gibraltar, dolphin watching has become nearly as popular as the monkeys.

COMING UP: We romp with  dolphins and visit a fascinating island in the Canaries made famous by a native son.  We travel to an unusual cave in Barbados and Keller takes Cookie on a sail boat ride to create the whitest knuckles she's ever experienced.  From peaceful and playful dolphins to the thrills of an old-fashioned, classic 12-meter America's Cup racing boat, we take you there. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, nature, performance, family and more: www.whereiscookie.com